Is Certification for You?
Robert Menard, Certified Purchasing Professional, Certified Professional Purchasing Consultant
The spike in demand for competent purchasing professionals resounds in newspaper want ads, recruiters’ calls, web circulars and virtually every other source of professional purchasing talent. Surely this question has occurred to us; “Should I earn my professional certification?” To answer this question, I interviewed several purchasing pros who had records of achievement. I wanted their insight and experience into how certification has affected them, their employers, and how this trend toward certification is driving the profession.
What purchasing pros have to say?
Mary Walker of Hagemeyer North America is well known purchasing authority. She believes so heartily that she has earned multiple professional certifications including Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) and Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM). “Certification is the entrée to upper management; I could not have advanced without it.” She also stresses the important distinction between certification and academic certificate programs. “Professional certification conveys far more credibility than an academic certificate.”
A public procurement veteran and CPP attributes the rise in competence, earnings, and prestige to his certifications. “It is the key to career success. Training, education, and professional certification are investments in yourself; the best investments you can make.”
Paul Crisafulli, CPP and CPPM, notes that purchasing is now much more in the corporate focus. “Certification proves that you have earned the credentials required to practice at the professional level. It is so important that most leading companies encourage certification and some defray the cost.”
Everyone interviewed agreed that certification as a CPP and CPPM identifies us as those at the pinnacle of our profession. It demonstrates competence and ability as well as devotion to the business. It proclaims to the rest of the business world that we are experts in negotiation, business law, ethics, and trends in the profession and all other areas of purchasing practice.
If you have considered certification
The testimony of others is persuasive but there are three important objective reasons to pursue certification:
adding up the coin
- Value to the employer
- Consequential boost in earnings
- Enhanced prestige and satisfaction of achievement
Especially in the case of purchasing, employers are very concerned with measurable Return On Investment. Some still look only at price reductions but most successful firms recognize that reducing costs is the key to savings. The certified purchasing professional is an expert at cost management and a pro at the bargaining table. It is not at all uncommon for a CPP or CPPM to earn scores of times of his or her salary in savings
According to an annual salary survey, certified purchasing pros earn an average of 7.3 % more than their uncertified brethren and are 16.3 % above the median. Indisputably, certified purchasing pros earn more.
Finally, the pride that one takes in achieving the highest level in one’s profession cannot be overstated. Certifications in the accounting and purchasing professions show a parallel. While public accountants work in Certified Public Accountant firms, only the CPAs become executives, partners, and leaders. What do you think purchasing certification would do for your career?
For detaials on how to obtain a Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) or Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM) visit the certification page